Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:1-10.
TEXT: "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I
must stay at your house today"
(see Luke 19:5).


Jesus' final week is just a few days away. He has
come to Jericho to spend the night, but His host is
not home. So Jesus passes through town to find him.

Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector and extremely
wealthy. But he left his tax office when he heard Jesus
had come to town. He knew Jesus' reputation-while
the Jews and their leaders despised tax collectors
as traitors and thieves-Jesus was known as a friend to
tax collectors. Rushing to the far edge of town, he
climbed a tree to see the Lord.

Jesus comes right up to that spot, stops, and looks
up into the tree. Calling Zacchaeus by name He tells
him to come down quickly. Jesus wants to spend this
night in his house.

Zacchaeus scurries down and receives Jesus with
great joy. The crowd hears this and is terribly
scandalized. How could Jesus choose to stay in the
home of a notorious sinner? What they didn't know is
that Jesus had already begun to change Zacchaeus'
heart. The chief tax collector was repenting of his sins
and planning to make amends for his past wrongdoings.

Jesus points out that Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham
just as are those in the crowd. True children of
Abraham share Abraham's faith in God's promise to
send the Christ or Messiah. Zacchaeus knew Jesus
had given him a great honor by staying in his house.
But did he know His Lord had chosen to spend one
of the last precious nights He had on earth with him?

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, with amazing grace You sought
out the despised chief tax collector Zacchaeus and
honored him by staying at His house that night. Help
us appreciate the honor You give us by promising to
remain with us always. Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries).